Maggie's Way- International Woman’s Scholarship

At its core, my story mirrors Malgorzata Kwiecien's: independence, ambition, and the courage to start over abroad. Reading about her, I saw parts of myself—a Polish woman, driven by stubborn ambition and a refusal to settle. We share a homeland, but more importantly we were both made to overcome obstacles. Resilience has defined my journey throughout my life, yet it's the most prominent since I left Poland to pursue my education in the United States, arriving just four months ago. Though my mom supports me from home, the day I stepped onto the plane, I understood what 'alone' actually felt like. Every decision—from paperwork to speaking English publicly—became mine. My first day at school, I pretended not to be nervous, but my voice shook every time I spoke English. Independence was not an option, but a necessity. Through obstacles, I didn't quit—I became sharper, transforming solitude into self-reliance. My academic record wasn't perfect—for years, it was painfully average. Not because I lacked ability, but because I lacked direction, and because I moved schools twice while navigating a difficult family situation. Mediocrity wasn't comfortable; it was just unchallenging. The moment I found purpose, it became fuel. I began studying harder and more efficiently. I learned to discipline my mind—I can study for hours, absorb a unit in one night, and walk out of a test with a high score because I decided to. Not many people understand how powerful self-discipline is until they build it themselves. Neuroscience became my purpose—the human brain, the most complicated machine that existence has produced. It holds identity, memory, emotion, and consciousness. It adapts, rewires, and can reshape a life. I always desired expertise built slowly, through discipline. Neurosurgery is brutally demanding, years long, unforgiving, and elite. That's exactly why I am drawn to it. I want the path that requires sharpness, endurance, precision, and ambition. In my eyes, a profession that consumes your life is a gift if you love it enough. Maggie wasn't only defined by intellect. She moved her body the same way she used her mind—precise, fast, fearless. I snowboard. On a slope, the world vanishes, and hesitation becomes the only danger. You commit, or you fall—you embrace speed, or you never improve. The moment risk and control cooperate feels like the true me. I think she understood that and lived her life through the same lens. Like Maggie, I gravitate towards challenges that demand precision—she found it in engineering; I find it in the discipline of studying the brain. We both know what it means to stand at the beginning of a path no one has walked for us. Excellence is not inherited—it's earned through discipline, effort, and refusing to choose the easier road. I relate to Maggie because she chose the mountain over flat ground. Because she refused to settle and lived deliberately. I'm still at the beginning, but I'm not interested in comfort. I want the kind of future people notice. The kind that demands discipline, grit, and heart. The kind Maggie built. This scholarship wouldn't erase the difficulty—it would make continuing this path possible. My aspirations exceed what my family can realistically support. As an international student, I am ineligible for federal aid, making scholarships essential for me to continue my education in the U.S. Support would empower me to prove, as Maggie did, that a young woman crossing borders alone can shape something remarkable. I will honor her legacy by forging my own demanding path—one marked by daring and discipline. This opportunity will leverage, not define, my ambition.

Hearing Maggie’s story was deeply inspiring, as I have not heard of other women overcoming the same struggles I have experienced. Her determination and bravery is remarkable. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I have experienced poverty and war my entire life. My father was killed before I was born, and I lost my mother at the age of 10. After her passing, I lived on the street for 2 years begging for food and unable to go to school. At the age of 12, I heard about an organization called Un Jour Nouveau (Africa New Day) that offered to pay for my tuition. My passion to receive an education led me to pursue this opportunity, despite having to walk over two hours each way, four days per week. Through this program, I began learning English and leadership skills. At the age of 14, I started a club for young women who couldn’t afford a traditional education, many of which were also orphans or rape victims who had been shut out by their families. My intention was to pass on the knowledge I had gained to other young people in my area who did not have the same opportunity to receive the education I had. After 3 years, my club included over 100 young women that met once a week to learn together. I had always dreamed of moving to the United States to continue my education. In 2019, I moved to Nairobi, Kenya, to take an English course and pass the TOEFL exam. I applied for a student visa in 2021 and was denied, but I didn’t let this discourage me. I reapplied and was accepted later that year, and began attending El Camino College in the Spring of 2022. Originally, I planned on going to school for International Business to help my home country of DR Congo. However, I quickly realized this was not my passion. As a child, I was always fascinated with how electronics worked, and would often take electronics apart to see how they were made. I started helping people fix their phones and other devices in order to make some money to survive. I never pictured this as a career I could pursue though, because in my country, engineering is a man’s job. Coming here and seeing women in STEM reignited my passion and pushed me to pursue Electrical Engineering. I am currently one semester away from finishing my Associate’s Degree and I have applied to several Electrical Engineering programs for Fall 2025. Hearing Maggie’s story is further proof that women like me can achieve anything we put our minds to despite what society says. Maggie and I share a similar hunger for knowledge and determination that pushes me to continuously grow and advance in my field. Through this scholarship, I hope to continue Maggie’s legacy by setting an example for other women in my country. My goal is to inspire the young people of DR Congo to dream big the same way I have, and start a chain reaction to innovate solutions to the conflict in my country.

As I reflect on the life and journey of Malgorzata "Maggie" Kwiecien, I am inspired by her remarkable determination, intellectual boldness, and unwavering bravery. Her story resonates deeply with me as I traveled alone from Thailand to pursue a degree in Computer Science in the United States. Maggie's legacy of resilience and her passion for education have left an indelible mark on my own aspirations and sense of purpose. Moving to a foreign land, just as Maggie did when she arrived in the U.S., is a challenge that demands courage and adaptability. I understand the complexities of starting anew in an unfamiliar environment, with no support system in place. Like Maggie, I faced this daunting task head-on, propelled by my determination to pursue higher education and broaden my horizons. I am intimately familiar with the feelings of uncertainty and the need to find my place within a new academic and cultural landscape. Moreover, Maggie's fearlessness in the face of physical challenges resonates deeply with me. I, too, have sought to embrace physical endeavors that push my boundaries. From climbing mountains and diving into new experiences to teaching skiing and exploring the world on two wheels, I have discovered the transformative power of stepping outside of my comfort zone. Just as Maggie approached life fearlessly, I have cultivated a similar spirit of adventure, driven by a desire to learn and grow from every encounter and endeavor. Beyond physical pursuits, Maggie's intellectual boldness and her commitment to becoming an expert in her chosen field inspire me greatly. Like her, I am fueled by a deep thirst for knowledge and an unwavering passion for Computer Science. I am resolute in my dedication to continuously enhance my understanding and expertise, just as Maggie demonstrated throughout her career. I strive to approach every academic challenge as an opportunity for growth, and I relish engaging in thought-provoking debates that broaden my perspective and refine my critical thinking skills. The scholarship established in Maggie's memory not only acknowledges her exceptional life but also honors her legacy by supporting female students who, like me, have moved to the U.S. for their education. It is an incredible privilege to be considered for this opportunity, which aligns perfectly with my aspirations and journey. As a female student pursuing STEM, I wholeheartedly embrace the values and principles that guided Maggie's life. Through this scholarship, I seek to carry forward Maggie's spirit of determination, fearlessness, and intellectual curiosity. I aim to become a trailblazer in my own right, making significant contributions to the field of Computer Science and inspiring others to embrace challenges and pursue excellence. In conclusion, Malgorzata "Maggie" Kwiecien's remarkable story resonates deeply with my own journey as an international student. Her unwavering determination, intellectual boldness, and fearlessness in the face of challenges have left an indelible mark on my own aspirations and character. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, which not only honors Maggie's extraordinary life but also provides support and empowerment to female students pursuing their dreams. If chosen, I will carry Maggie's legacy forward, striving to emulate her spirit as I navigate my path in Computer Science and make a positive impact on the world.

Never could I imagine someone else had the same struggles as I did. Malgorzata and I are very much alike on several grounds. I moved to the US a few months ago to further my studies in medicine. As a Cameroonian from the Fulani tribe, my identity as a female destined me to marry by the age of 18. Culturally I couldn’t do anything to stop this from happening unless I found a way to move out of my country and further my education without bordering my father. My father is the one who makes financial decisions in my family. I struggled on my own and applied to numerous colleges across the US, and upon graduation from high school, I got accepted into 7 different colleges. Georgia State University offered me the most generous scholarship I needed to persuade my father to let me work on my dreams before getting married. Unfortunately, my father’s mind changed, and he will not be able to assist me financially in paying my tuition anymore. I took a part-time job hoping to save enough money to ensure my tuition payment for the spring 2023 semester, but I am afraid this will not be sufficient. I am not yet willing to give up on my dreams! I have to work! And I will work hard and smart. My choices now are moving back to my country and getting married to a man I do not know or finding a way to pay for my tuition and achieve my dreams, becoming financially independent and acquiring freedom. Now, It is essential to understand how the cultural society I live in categorizes people like me. Many of my cousins and friends aged 16-18 are already married or a getting married soon. As a female, getting married is the default and best option provided. By moving to the US, I phase a lot of marginalization and discrimination from the people from my own family and ethnic group. “A girl with no respect.” “She follows western culture” and “No man will ever want to marry her” are the gossips and rumours that are now propagated about me within my family and community. Medicine is my passion, and that’s all I ask for. My whole spirit, soul and body are driven towards that one thought of acquiring medical knowledge that I can exercise every day of my life in my community and within the entire earth globe. Currently, I am a biology major with a pre-med concentration. It is challenging and demanding, but that same thought of me being a MEDICAL DOCTOR wakes me up every morning and motivates me to work as hard as possible. If my application is granted, it will be the most unforgettable experience of my whole life. I need this scholarship. I really do.